Documentaries

[Dana Jean]

The Investigator: A British Crime Story season 2

I always find these types of shows fascinating.

In this one, a serial killer is the focus at first, and then we pick up on another possible serial killer.

The first guy, he buried a couple bodies in his back yard that were discovered. There is another place where this guy lived where the investigator strongly suspects bodies are. The Sussex police do not feel they have enough evidence to demand a dig, and the people living in the house won't allow one.

Now, my question. If you lived in a home where a convicted serial killer lived, and he was known for burying bodies in his yard -- wouldn't you just allow the search? I would be all over that to bring closure to the families with a missing loved one. And besides, I would be creeped out to think I was barbecuing on graves. I don't understand the people at all.

 

[Doc Creed]

What'dya think?

I liked it but I kept wondering if the director was making fun of these people. Personally, I enjoyed listening to these folks. Reminded me of plenty of people I know from around here. The turkey hunter was a phenomenal storyteller, the way he recounted killing a turkey one morning, and he was very intelligent. I suppose this particular stripe of American could cause outsiders to tilt their head but I am used to it. The couple with the sand in the jar were so normal but so strange...surely they didn't really believe the sand was growing. Very odd film, but beautiful. Great ending.
I hadn't heard of this movie or its director before it popped up on Netflix. Apparently, the director intended to focus on individuals who maimed themselves on purpose in order to get insurance money; this repeated scheme gave the town its nickname: "Nub City". LOL. Wow. He received death threats and so his focus changed and the result is the film as it stands today.
Did you like this film, @DanaJean?

 

[Doc Creed]

besides, I would be creeped out to think I was barbecuing on graves.

 

[Dana Jean]

I liked it but I kept wondering if the director was making fun of these people. Personally, I enjoyed listening to these folks. Reminded me of plenty of people I know from around here. The turkey hunter was a phenomenal storyteller, the way he recounted killing a turkey one morning, and he was very intelligent. I suppose this particular stripe of American could cause outsiders to tilt their head but I am used to it. The couple with the sand in the jar were so normal but so strange...surely they didn't really believe the sand was growing. Very odd film, but beautiful. Great ending.
I hadn't heard of this movie or its director before it popped up on Netflix. Apparently, the director intended to focus on individuals who maimed themselves on purpose in order to get insurance money; this repeated scheme gave the town its nickname: "Nub City". LOL. Wow. He received death threats and so his focus changed and the result is the film as it stands today.
Did you like this film, @DanaJean?

I haven't seen it yet. I noticed it on Netflix and put it in my queue, but haven't gotten to it yet. I'll try to watch it this weekend.

 

[Dana Jean]

Katie's New Face

This was terribly tragic. An absolutely stunning young girl tries to kill herself, but instead, takes off her face and lives. She has forever changed her life and her family's life. Now THAT is selfish. People always say suicide is such a selfish act. If you could talk to those people, they would feel they are doing a selfless act. They feel they are a burden to their families and their families would be better off without them.

This is going to sound amazingly cruel, but think about it. The fact she lived became a selfish act. Her family is now chained to a life of taking care of her. Every minute of every day is all about her now. Sure, they are thankful she is still here. She is thankful she is still here. I am so glad her teen angst didn't succeed.

But I'm talking about what it means to be selfish.

 

[fljoe0]

Active Measures (2018) in theaters and on Hulu

An absolutely chilling account of Russian interference (in the US and around the world) and money laundering. This really explains the need for the Russians to launder money and how they do it. I can't say too much here without this becoming a hot topic post but everyone should see this.

 

[Dana Jean]

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind

This showed a sweet, vulnerable, needy man. Creative types seem to be very inside their heads. And it can be dangerous there.

 

[Dana Jean]

Born This Way: Deaf Out Loud

 

[Doc Creed]

A Leaf of Faith

Informative and relatable but I am not impressed with the filmmaker. I stuck with it because of my interest in this subject matter. It reminded me of an MTV doc. If you know anyone dealing with chronic pain or someone fighting addiction then it is worth educating yourself on this experimental non-addictive drug (that needs funding) which can allegedly be miraculous. The drug is called Katow. (Sp?)

 

[GNTLGNT]

A Leaf of Faith

Informative and relatable but I am not impressed with the filmmaker. I stuck with it because of my interest in this subject matter. It reminded me of an MTV doc. If you know anyone dealing with chronic pain or someone fighting addiction then it is worth educating yourself on this experimental non-addictive drug (that needs funding) which can allegedly be miraculous. The drug is called Katow. (Sp?)

Mitragyna speciosa - Wikipedia

 

[Doc Creed]

Mitragyna speciosa - Wikipedia

Kratom, yes, thank you.

 

[Steffen]

The Devil and Father Amorth on Netflix.

Has anyone seen this yet? It's director William Friedkin documenting a supposedly legitimate exorcism conducted by now-deceased Father Gabriele Amorth. To cut to the chase: yes, there is unedited footage of the rite, which is pretty much as you may imagine it, if you've ever read/heard about what an exorcism involves (minus the embellishment from movies). Gotta say, I'm finding it a little difficult to believe that Friedkin didn't modify the sound emanating from the woman for dramatic effect. Also, there is a supposedly scarier "confrontation" which took place later, but conveniently no footage was filmed.

You can read the VF article below. I'd be interested to hear what other people's opinions are after they've watched.


The Devil and Father Amorth: Witnessing “the Vatican Exorcist” at Work

 

[Doc Creed]

The Devil and Father Amorth on Netflix.

Has anyone seen this yet? It's director William Friedkin documenting a supposedly legitimate exorcism conducted by now-deceased Father Gabriele Amorth. To cut to the chase: yes, there is unedited footage of the rite, which is pretty much as you may imagine it, if you've ever read/heard about what an exorcism involves (minus the embellishment from movies). Gotta say, I'm finding it a little difficult to believe that Friedkin didn't modify the sound emanating from the woman for dramatic effect. Also, there is a supposedly scarier "confrontation" which took place later, but conveniently no footage was filmed.

You can read the VF article below. I'd be interested to hear what other people's opinions are after they've watched.


The Devil and Father Amorth: Witnessing “the Vatican Exorcist” at Work

I have seen demon possessed people three times. Once, at a video store where I worked (no, I'm not kidding). The kid wore all black (coincidental, I guess) and he did drugs, was into black magic, and weighing only 140 pounds he had superhuman strength. He hated me. We discussed theology and God and when I brought up God or the Bible he flew into a rage. One time he climbed up on the counter like an animal and made as if to attack me. It sounds almost comical but I wish you could have seen the killer hate in his eyes.
The other two times were in a church and the woman was talking in a voice that made my stomach turn to cement. It sounded like two male voices speaking in unison. It took three men to hold her down as the pastor's wife prayed over her.
Take that as you will but that is what I know. I would like to see this documentary.

 

[Steffen]

I have seen demon possessed people three times. Once, at a video store where I worked (no, I'm not kidding). The kid wore all black (coincidental, I guess) and he did drugs, was into black magic, and weighing only 140 pounds he had superhuman strength. He hated me. We discussed theology and God and when I brought up God or the Bible he flew into a rage. One time he climbed up on the counter like an animal and made as if to attack me. It sounds almost comical but I wish you could have seen the killer hate in his eyes.
The other two times were in a church and the woman was talking in a voice that made my stomach turn to cement. It sounded like two male voices speaking in unison. It took three men to hold her down as the pastor's wife prayed over her.
Take that as you will but that is what I know. I would like to see this documentary.

Thanks for sharing your stories Doc. I'm not here to belittle anyone for their beliefs, as I keep an open mind about such things. I have a friend, for instance, who is very sensitive to the presence of such things, and he has a similar story about a relative who was possessed. I believe that in many instances it may be a mental disorder or some such. However, there are a few extreme cases that strongly suggest something beyond our conventional understanding. I'd love to hear your thoughts when you've seen the documentary.

 

[Dana Jean]

Nero's Sunken City

Nero’s Sunken City | Preview | Secrets of the Dead | PBS

American Masters: Margaret Mitchell

Margaret Mitchell: American Rebel | Full Episode | American Masters | PBS

Inside Story -- Halloween

The full documentary is on youtube.

 

[Steffen]

Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary.
A comprehensive (almost exhaustive) look at the making of the film, with generous chunks of time devoted to nearly every aspect of the process and people behind it. Icing on the cake would have been an interview with the main man himself, SK, but that's a minor quibble. Whether you enjoyed the film or not, this is worth a look.


Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, what a story this is. Hate the film or love it, I guarantee you one thing: you will enjoy this documentary more. Blame really has to be shared equally among some of the main cast (Kilmer and Brando were notorious for being utter degenerates at the time), the studio (who put a hot new film-maker in charge of a mega-budget project and did little to assist him in the transition from indie films to blockbusters), and Richard Stanley himself (who had great ideas for the film but a vision that never coalesced, and had difficulty communicating with the crew). Let's face it, when you offer a huge film like this to a newbie and the first thing he does is consult a warlock to cast a spell to ensure he gets put in charge, you know you're in for a fun ride.

Watch this one: you won't regret it.

 

[Doc Creed]

Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary.
A comprehensive (almost exhaustive) look at the making of the film, with generous chunks of time devoted to nearly every aspect of the process and people behind it. Icing on the cake would have been an interview with the main man himself, SK, but that's a minor quibble. Whether you enjoyed the film or not, this is worth a look.

Where is this available? I have been waiting for it. Did you buy the DVD?

 

[Steffen]

Where is this available? I have been waiting for it. Did you buy the DVD?

Not for heck could I put my hands on a copy of this thing, Doc. A buddy of mine who knows I like SK got a copy from er... a certain website that you're not really supposed to get stuff from, if you know what I mean.

Don't judge me.

 

[Dana Jean]

Cabins in the Wild with Dick Strawbridge

This was a contest to build the best cabin for a pop-up hotel in Wales. It was a lot of fun and very obvious who the 2008 winner was going to be. I hope they put more seasons on Netflix.

Cabins in the Wild with Dick Strawbridge | Netflix

 

[Dana Jean]

I Own Britain's Best Home

This was great fun too.

I Own Britain's Best Home | Netflix